A central figure of the whiskey ring was a character named James “Jim” Boner, described as a gambler and “man about town.” He had connections with city hall that permitted him to operate his saloon and gambling house with impunity as far back as 1901. His friendship with Schmitt went back many years and he became the graft collector for Chief Schmitt in the tenderloin district. He was prosecuted for participating in the Schroeder haul (aka the booze boat incident) and contributed to  Chief Schmitt’s downfall when it came to light that Schmitt co-signed a promisory note for Boner’s legal fees.